FRI., AUG. 26
Allen Ginsberg Poetry Festival
6-9 p.m. South Stage
Featuring Anne Waldman, Michael McClure, Antler, John S. Hall, Ed Sanders and special guest Steve Van Zandt of The E Street Band and “The Sopranos” fame; “HOWL!” will be read in seven languages and 16 voices.
SAT. AND SUN., AUG. 27-28
Art Around the Park
starting at 11 a.m.
More than 140 artists will use hundreds of gallons of paint and sculptural material of every description in a “live-action event” to create artwork on a 900-foot-long, 8-foot-high ribbon of blank canvas stretched along three sides of Tompkins Square Park.
SAT. AND SUN., AUG. 27-28
HOWL! Jr.
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Join the Sol Goldman Y at 344 E. 14th St. for performances, games, arts and crafts, face painting and free, fun activities for children of all ages, including HOWL! Mothers’ Knitting Circle, Japanese calligraphy and origami and Family Punk Rope. On Sun., Aug. 28 at noon will be HOWL! Jr. Kiddie Disco on the North Stage, with interactive performances, disco dancing and discotizing.
SAT., AUG. 27
The St. Mark’s Pantheon Processional
starts at noon at Cooper Union
Lower East Side celeb Rosario Dawson leads this super-sized parade, starting at Cooper Union and heading east down St. Mark’s Pl. to Tompkins Square Park. Dogs, bicycles, freaks, geeks and outsiders will walk proudly amongst the ghosts of the East Village (as in colorful puppet heads) including Allen Ginsberg, Joey Ramone, Emma Goldman, Charlie Parker and more. Everyone is invited to come in costume, bring props and march to the brass beat of the Hungry March Band and the Lower Eastside Girls Club’s drum corps, while being led by “Grand Marsha,” Warhol superstar Taylor Mead.
SAT., AUG. 27
Kids Slam — Celebrating the dream of an Armando Perez Community Cultural Center
Noon-2 p.m. North Stage
Reverend Billy and The Church of Stop Shopping host Kids Slam, an open talent pageant for neighborhood kids. Come celebrate, imagine, envision and learn how to help fight for and create the Armando Perez Community Cultural Center at the former P.S. 64 (instead of the 19-story dormitory that’s being proposed there).
SAT., AUG. 27
Viva CHARAS!
3-6 p.m. North Stage
Formerly held in La Plaza Cultural, Charas moves into Tompkins Square Park for a hot afternoon program of Latin song, music and dance. Hosted by Luis Guzman and Chino Garcia with Willie Vellegas and Entre Amigos, featuring El Rey del Cuatro and Yomo Toro, Aurora and Zon Del Barrio and Cemi-ya Dance Ensemble & Daso.
SAT., AUG. 27
Way the F**k Off-Broadway
2-4 p.m. South Stage
Uncle Jimmy’s Dirty Basement hosts HOWL!’s signature performance art showcase, with Penny Arcade and Chris Rael, Taylor Mead, Julie Atlas Muz, Taylor Mac, Phoebe Legere, The O’Debra Twins, Jennifer Blowdryer, Jo Boobs, Neil Medlin, David Leslie and DADAnewyork.
SAT., AUG. 27
Wigstock
5-7 p.m. South Stage
For the third “straight” year Wigstock, the world’s most celebrated drag-centric pansexual extravaganza, will grace the HOWL! Festival with its stilettoed grace. For this 20th anniversary celebration, Mistress of Ceremonies Lady Bunny will unveil a spectacle of offbeat, star-studded performances sure to thrill and confuse even the most tripped-out of fans! Featuring Sherry Vine, John Kelly as Joni Mitchell, Flotilla DeBarge, The World Famous Bob, Candis Cayne, Shasta Cola, Kevin Aviance, Jackie 60, Linda Simpson, Lips, Bertha and Harmonica Sunbeam.
SUN., AUG. 28
Fringe NYC
Suitcase Players Miller vs. Williams: Summer Smackdown Tour 2005
Noon-1:15 p.m.
South Stage
Fringe NYC joins the HOWL! Festival for the first time, presenting The Suitcase Players’ zany performance of bite-sized versions of classic American plays. The NY International Fringe Festival is a presentation of The Present Company.
SUN., AUG. 28
Bluegrass Ball
3-6 p.m. North Stage
Bigger and better in 2005, the Bluegrass Ball moves from La Plaza Cultural to Tompkins Square Park. Laura Cantrell headlines a rockin’ lineup, featuring Reckon So, Y’all Stars, Cobble Hillbillies and the John Herald Band.
SUN., AUG. 28
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
3-7 p.m. South Stage
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is presented by the City Parks Foundation for the third consecutive year. The 2005 lineup stars Geri Allen, Odean Pope Saxophone Choir, John Hicks, featuring David “Fathead” Newman, and the Cindy Blackman Quartet.
